What the World Cup says about protection

Roger Edwards, proposition director at Bright Grey, wonders how much protection could be bought for the same price as a 12-pack of beer...

The World Cup has sent the majority of the male population scurrying for a six pack of beer and the living room widescreen HDTV, or legging it to the nearest pub which has an even bigger widescreen HDTV.

Conversations become exclusively about match analysis, speculation, commentary and opinion. On TV, big ‘other news' is relegated to 30 seconds or so before the attention of the news presenter shifts back to more football talk.

Across the nation we cannot drown out the sound of vuvuzelas, which have become an irritating backing track to the whole World Cup machine.

I am probably one of only a very few members of the male species that has no interest in football at all (though I must admit a momentary rush of pride when my birth-town team, Blackpool, managed to battle their way back into the Premiership after nearly 40 years in the wilderness).

For me, World Cup month is spent watching a lot of movies (on widescreen HDTVs), catching up on DVD box sets (a good chance to re-watch all 150 odd episodes of Lost), being genuinely lost when listening to all the football conversations going on all around, and enjoying the empty streets and shopping centres which turn into ghost towns at match time.

Despite my obvious disinterest in the World Cup, friends still insist on inviting me to their World Cup parties. Needless to say, I have politely declined, although I'd just like to set the record straight that I'm not a party pooper and for any other reason would be happy to join in a celebration.

One thing that does amaze me though is how much money football fans are willing to spend on their impromptu parties. They won't think twice about stocking up on extra food and drink, renting a plasma TV and buying a new BBQ, not to mention all the flags and other paraphernalia which will add up to hundreds of pounds.

As I've said, I have no aversion to a good party. However, I do feel a bit frustrated when people are willing to spend hundreds of pounds without even thinking about it but when it comes to forking out a few pounds a month for critical illness cover or income protection put up the excuse that they can't afford it.

Yet, what would happen if they become ill and were unable to work? Where would the money come from for their next World Cup party?

In this economic climate it's great to see people enjoying themselves. But letting people know how much protection they could afford for the price of, say, a twelve pack of beer, may surprise them and show them just how affordable protection actually is.

Roger Edwards is proposition director at Bright Grey and Scottish Provident